Spin-on filter and methods

Abstract

A fluid filter assembly includes a housing having a wall defining an interior, a closed end, and an open end. A filter element is operably oriented in the interior of the housing. A baffle plate is mounted to operably cover the housing open end. The baffle plate includes a first axial face with an exterior top end surface and an outer circumferential wall circumscribing the first axial face. The outer circumferential wall is groove-free and forms an outer radial surface. The outer circumferential wall has a first diameter portion adjacent to the first axial face and a second diameter portion. The second diameter portion is remote from the first axial face. The second diameter portion has a diameter less than the first diameter portion. A seal is located between the housing and the baffle plate resulting from an interference fit between the housing wall and the second diameter portion. A filter arrangement includes the filter assembly operably removably mounted to a filter head. Methods for construction include creating an interference fit between the baffle plate and the housing. Methods of installing include spinning a filter assembly onto a filter head.

1 . A fluid filter assembly including: 
 (a) a housing having a wall defining an interior, a closed end, and an open end;    (b) a filter element operably oriented in the interior of the housing;    (c) a baffle plate mounted to operably cover said housing open end; 
 (i) the baffle plate including a first axial face with an exterior top end surface and an outer circumferential wall circumscribing the first axial face;  
 (ii) the outer circumferential wall being a groove-free outer radial surface;  
 (iii) the outer circumferential wall having a first diameter portion adjacent to the first axial face and a second diameter portion; 
 (A) the second diameter portion being remote from the first axial face;  
 (B) the second diameter portion having a diameter less than the first diameter portion; and  
 
   (d) a seal between the housing and the baffle plate resulting from an interference fit between the housing wall and the second diameter portion.    
   
   
       2 . A fluid filter assembly according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 (a) the baffle plate is die cast.    
   
   
       3 . A fluid filter assembly according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 (a) the outer circumferential wall is free of an independent sealing gasket.    
   
   
       4 . A fluid filter assembly according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 (a) the filter element includes a first, open end cap; a second, closed end cap; and an extension of pleated filter media secured to said first and second end caps; 
 (i) said extension of pleated filter media defining an open filter interior.  
   
   
   
       5 . A fluid filter assembly according to  claim 4  wherein: 
 (a) the baffle plate includes a hub defining a central opening therethrough; the hub extending through said first open end cap and into said open filter interior.    
   
   
       6 . A fluid filter assembly according to  claim 5  wherein: 
 (a) the hub has an internal surface defining threads to connect the filter assembly to a filter head.    
   
   
       7 . A fluid filter assembly according to  claim 5  wherein: 
 (a) said baffle plate further includes a plurality of radial ribs extending from said hub.    
   
   
       8 . A fluid filter assembly according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 (a) the housing includes a folded portion; 
 (i) the folded portion extending orthogonally to the outer circumferential wall of the baffle plate and over a portion of the first axial face.  
   
   
   
       9 . A fluid filter assembly according to  claim 8  further comprising: 
 (a) a sealing gasket between the folded portion and the first axial face.    
   
   
       10 . A fluid filter assembly according to  claim 1  further comprising: 
 (a) a sealant material located at the interference fit between the housing wall and the second diameter portion.    
   
   
       11 . A fluid filter assembly according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 (a) a difference between second diameter portion and the first diameter portion is at least 1.5%.    
   
   
       12 . A fluid filter assembly according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 (a) a difference between second diameter portion and the first diameter portion is not greater than 5%.    
   
   
       13 . A filter arrangement comprising: 
 (a) a fluid filter assembly including a housing having a wall defining an interior, a closed end, and an open end; a filter element operably oriented in the interior of the housing; a baffle plate mounted to operably cover said housing open end; 
 (i) the baffle plate including a first axial face with an exterior top end surface and an outer circumferential wall circumscribing the first axial face;  
 (ii) the outer circumferential wall being a groove-free outer radial surface;  
 (iii) the outer circumferential wall having a first diameter portion adjacent to the first axial face and a second diameter portion; 
 (A) the second diameter portion being remote from the first axial face;  
 (B) the second diameter portion having a diameter less than the first diameter portion;  
 
 (iv) a seal between the housing and the baffle plate resulting from an interference fit between the housing wall and the second diameter portion; and  
   (b) a filter head; the filter assembly being operably removably mounted on the filter head.    
   
   
       14 . A filter arrangement according to  claim 13  wherein: 
 (a) the filter assembly is mounted to the filter head with a threaded connection.    
   
   
       15 . A filter arrangement according to  claim 13  wherein: 
 (a) the baffle plate includes a hub defining a central opening therethrough; the hub having an internal surface defining threads to connect the filter assembly to the filter head.    
   
   
       16 . A filter arrangement according to  claim 13  wherein: 
 (a) the baffle plate is die cast; and    (b) the outer circumferential wall is free of an independent sealing gasket.    
   
   
       17 . A method for constructing a fluid filter; the method comprising: 
 (a) providing a housing having a closed end and an open end;    (b) mounting a filter element and a baffle plate assembly into the housing through the open end; the filter element and baffle plate assembly including a baffle plate having an outer circumferential wall with a first diameter portion and a second diameter portion; the second diameter portion having a diameter less than the first diameter portion;    (c) pressing the baffle plate into the housing to create an interference fit between the second diameter portion and the housing; and    (d) folding a portion of the housing over a top of the baffle plate.    
   
   
       18 . A method of installing a filter assembly comprising: 
 (a) spinning a filter assembly onto a filter head; the filter head being mounted on and in fluid communication with a fluid system of equipment; the filter assembly including: 
 (i) a housing having a closed end and an open end;  
 (ii) a filter element operably oriented in the housing;  
 (iii) a baffle plate mounted to operably cover the housing open end; the baffle plate including a first axial face and an outer circumferential wall circumscribing the first axial face; 
 (A) the outer circumferential wall being a groove-free outer radial surface;  
 
 (iv) the outer circumferential wall having a first diameter portion adjacent to the first axial face and a second diameter portion; 
 (A) the second diameter portion being remote from the first axial face;  
 (B) the second diameter portion having a diameter less than the first diameter portion; and  
 
 (v) a seal between the housing and the baffle plate resulting from an interference fit between the housing wall and the second diameter portion.